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Post by Chuckles on Mar 4, 2008 9:16:50 GMT
As many of you know by now I'm a bit hit and miss with some of the methods I use in the garden and GH ;D Well this year I've learnt two valuable lessons with my new found love of seed sowing. Over the last few weeks I've had something nibbling at seedlings, I've not lost many but it has aggrivated me. I found out it was a few tiny tiny slugs that had somehow got into my HP and a few of my non HP's. The tell tale signs of the trail they had left behind in the prop lids when they were condensated up gave them away. So, I sprinkled just a few pellets in the props. This was a big mistake, now have mouldy pellets that I've had to pick out. So thats lesson one, don't put pellets in a prop because the warm damp conditions make them go mouldy then you lose seedlings. Lesson two, make sure that if you are reusing old pots, trays etc that they are cleaned before use because thats where the little snails must have been. Anyone else got any lessons learnt to share  |
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Post by isabella on Mar 4, 2008 11:17:30 GMT
Always label everything - on more than one occasion I have said to myself - "I will remember what those are" etc - but I never do remember  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2008 14:07:20 GMT
Well, I've learnt not to even try autumn sowings - even with the mini-GH, I don't seem to be able to get them through. Always cover seeds with sieved compost, even if it doesn't say so on the pack. And I've learnt that if I really want a plant, only a couple will germinate - and if it's a freebie packet of seeds I'm not that keen on, hundreds will germinate and I'll have to engage in planticide later  ... cheers ... |
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Post by Plocket on Mar 4, 2008 16:08:43 GMT
I've read what you've learned and I've got to hang my head in shame. There are things I've done and should have learned from, but I've such an awful memory that I forget what they are!!!
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Post by Shrubrose on Mar 4, 2008 16:41:35 GMT
My lesson is - dont leave the gate open - ever!!!! Bloomin' sheep get in and on most recent 'escapade' have chewed my overwintering garlic. GRRRR.......
Wash pots out is a good one - avoids transfer of disease!
Put newspaper under compost in seed trays - helps retain water
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Post by Amo on Mar 4, 2008 18:45:23 GMT
Don't sow too thickly. It's easier to prick out with the least disturbance to the seedling.
Try cuttings of everything. Use really sandy compost.
Be patient.
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 4, 2008 18:52:51 GMT
Careful with water - seedlings hate it.
When pricking out, sow the seedlings a little deeper should they have grown leggy.
RF
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Post by andy on Mar 4, 2008 18:55:31 GMT
Buy them ready grown...then get someone else to plant them and look after them for you (Please see my message under my avatar)
;D
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 4, 2008 18:57:59 GMT
That's why you are so good at it andy.....
RF
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Post by Amo on Mar 5, 2008 15:46:12 GMT
Always make sure you have full watering cans in the greenhouse before you leave. The water comes up to temperature and is far kinder for watering seedlings.
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Post by isabella on Mar 5, 2008 16:02:11 GMT
Just done that Amo |
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Post by Biggles on Mar 5, 2008 21:13:03 GMT
I am like Isabella-- I should label everything 'new' that I plant in the garden--especially now- because I cant remember where I have put some plants even in Containers!! I think I will remember but dont!! ;D
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Post by Ruthie on Mar 5, 2008 21:57:34 GMT
I've learned loads of lessoms since I've been gardening/seed sowing etc. Can't for the life of me remember any of them at the moment!!  However, I remember when necessary, I think! |
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Post by beanie on Mar 7, 2008 9:48:10 GMT
think first, action later. sadly I still don't take my own advice, hence all the hard work. maybe this year?  |
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Post by Pip on Mar 7, 2008 12:22:46 GMT
Do not leave children in the GH unattended, especially when labels can be changed over. My "white bed" last year was a riot of colour which was a bit of a surprise until I realised what had happened.
Pip
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Post by Missredhead on Mar 7, 2008 17:23:53 GMT
Do not leave children in the GH unattended, especially when labels can be changed over. My "white bed" last year was a riot of colour which was a bit of a surprise until I realised what had happened. Pip oh dear  |
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Post by andy on Mar 7, 2008 17:41:55 GMT
Don't sow too early. I'm a prime candidate for having no patience and the first sign of spring....in goes the seeds.
This leaves me with bedding in flower in april and no place to put them.
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Post by Shrubrose on Mar 7, 2008 18:47:29 GMT
Do not leave children in the GH unattended, especially when labels can be changed over. My "white bed" last year was a riot of colour which was a bit of a surprise until I realised what had happened. Pip ;D |
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Post by Jonah on Mar 8, 2008 0:28:39 GMT
I have definitely learnt not to expect too much success when you have three little'uns under your feet! ;D I have sown very sparingly so far, partly so I don't have a mass murder of seedlings when I can't keep up with the watering, and plus it means I can have a second attempt if I am not very successful. I am also attempting to start most seedlings in individual loo rolls, so I can cut out a lot of pricking out, and either plant straight in the garden, or into pots. Not sure yet if it will work. Another thing I have learnt is to give perennials a bit of time to beef up before putting in the garden. I've lost a lot of young plants to slugs in the past. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 8, 2008 9:30:32 GMT
Always check that you haven't shut a cat in your conservatory when you have trays of seeds everywhere.......my dear Posie cat has knocked my Centaurea babies all over the floor and tipped two trays of Ladybird Poppies over the Rose Campion directly underneath....  Sigh.... |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Mar 9, 2008 21:08:04 GMT
Only sow a few seeds of each variety.
DON'T SOW TOO EARLY....leggy seedling syndrome...
Label everything...even if you think that you're bound to recognise the seedlings...you won't.....
Don't forget that winter/spring sunshine through the GH glass can burn tiny seedlings...so remember to shade them with some newspaper on sunny days.
Always spray with cheshunt compound to help prevent damping off
Don't overwater seedlings (and water from below)
Use good quality seed compost, and clean pots/trays.
DON'T DO AS I DO...do as I say...... ;D
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Post by Ladygardener on Mar 15, 2008 18:10:01 GMT
Oh dear poor 4pigmies my wee guy knocked over and killed some tomato seedlings a few weeks ago, I know how you feel. gosh there's so much good advice here I do wish I'd taken it on board before I sowed too early, did'nt know a thing about how hot a greenhouse can get , even a plastic mini one and roasted some of my seedlings, and as for not labelling and thinking I'd remember ;D |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Mar 15, 2008 18:35:56 GMT
Always make sure you've turned the water off before trying to swap your spray gun for the Miracle Gro feeder S x |
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Post by flowersfriend on Mar 16, 2008 17:18:17 GMT
Why is it that I have learnt most of those things the hard way ....... I would like to add. Never trust the weather man and fleece or cover crops in the spring it you think there the least chance of frost..... Believe there is a hungry snail or slug just near your babies, be vigilant or routinely use a beer trap or something. Put sticks on the soil where things are newly sown or planted..... if you have cats or one lives nearby. FF x |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2008 10:10:55 GMT
At this time of the year when you are doing lots of pricking out and re-potting, keep a large tray of compost dampened and ready to go - put some comost out in the rain even - as long as there aren't any cats about....
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Post by Jonah on Mar 17, 2008 10:50:08 GMT
Another thing I have found out the hard way. If you use an old, thoroughly cleaned anti bac spray bottle to water seedlings, make sure you use the right bottle at all times. |
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Post by Tig on Mar 17, 2008 11:42:26 GMT
Patience is a virtue - especially when waiting for seeds to come through. Keep sown seed trays moist and don't discard them. Some seeds take ages to germinate! If in doubt - ask |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2008 15:29:05 GMT
Don't eat the yellow snow... |
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Post by Chuckles on Mar 26, 2008 18:50:50 GMT
Patience is a virtue - especially when waiting for seeds to come through. Keep sown seed trays moist and don't discard them. Some seeds take ages to germinate! If in doubt - ask How true Tig, I've had some germinate in the last few weeks that I sowed back in October and November last year  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2008 6:46:23 GMT
Always hang bulbs up, if you have to abandon planting, so you can finish planting your bed before the mice get there |
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... cheers ...
However, I remember when necessary, I think!
